On the covered Kenmore gas water heater, 8-4: LED flashes 8 times and then 4 times every 3 seconds means Kenmore's service table lists this code as: gas control failure. Reset the control with the ON/OFF switch. Slide the switch OFF, wait 10 seconds and back ON.
Differential
Likely causes of “Kenmore gas water heater showing 8-4”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The control has sensed an error in the control circuits of the valve
What separates it The status LED flashes eight times and the water heater is off
How to confirm Reset the control with the ON/OFF switch
- 2
A glitch that clears on reset
What separates it The code appeared once after a power event
How to confirm Slide the switch OFF, wait 10 seconds and back ON
- 3
A gas control that has failed
What separates it The code returns after the reset
How to confirm Replace the gas control
- 4
A power supply problem to the control
What separates it The control loses power
How to confirm Check the supply
- 5
A damaged harness to the control
What separates it Wires are chafed
How to confirm Inspect the wiring
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- That the LED flashes eight times
- Whether a reset cleared it
- Whether the heater lights
- The model and serial numbers
Try in this order
0 of 10 completedCorrect only the documented fault domain
ReversibleControl has sensed an error in the control circuits of the valve and has shut down the water heater. If resetting the control does not clear the fault code, replace it. To reset the control, slide the ON/OFF switch to the OFF position. Wait for 10 seconds and move the switch back to the ON position. Parts named: gas control.
To reset the gas control after "8-4", slide its ON/OFF switch to OFF, wait 10 seconds and slide it back to ON, and expect the fault to return if its cause is still there
ReversibleSlide the ON/OFF switch to OFF, wait 10 seconds and slide it back to ON, as the chart directs for the 8-4 control circuit fault.
Watch the heater light and run
ReversibleIf the burner lights and the LED stays quiet through a heating cycle, the 8-4 error was a one-off.
Replace the gas control if the code will not clear
ReversibleThe chart says to replace the control if resetting does not clear the fault; the gas control is a gas appliance part best fitted by a qualified technician.
Slide the ON/OFF switch to OFF
ReversibleThe table gives this as the way to reset the control.
Wait 10 seconds
ReversibleLet the control clear.
Move the switch back to ON
ReversibleSee whether the LED returns to its normal pattern.
Watch for the code
ReversibleNote whether it returns.
Check the wiring
ReversibleLook for damaged wires.
Replace the gas control
ReversibleIf the reset does not clear the fault.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The code on this page
- Eight LED flashes, a gas control failure.
- Parts involved
- The gas control.
- Source
- Sears PartsDirect's table for Kenmore gas water heaters.
- Reading the LED
- A gas water heater with an electronic control tells you what is wrong by flashing an LED a set number of times. Count the flashes carefully and write the number down, because different counts point to different parts and eight means the control itself.
- Why the control shuts the heater down
- The control checks its own valve circuits every time the heater runs. If it finds an error, it closes the gas valve and stops, which is the safe thing to do. That is why a reset is the first step and replacement is the last.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Do not keep resetting a heater that returns 8-4 at once, since the fault is in the control circuits of the gas valve itself
- !If resetting the control does not clear the fault, replace it
- !Turn off the gas before any work
- !If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas company
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does 8-4: LED flashes 8 times and then 4 times every 3 seconds mean on a Kenmore gas water heater?+
Kenmore's service table lists this code as: gas control failure.
What does eight LED flashes mean on a Kenmore gas water heater?+
The control has sensed an error in the control circuits of the valve and has shut down the water heater.
Is it safe?+
The heater shuts itself down, but call for service if it will not reset.
Do I need a plumber?+
A gas appliance repair is for a qualified technician.
Is the gas control costly?+
It is a moderate part.
Is it safe to keep resetting the control?+
A single reset is fine, but if the code returns, do not keep resetting; replace the control or call a technician.
Should I smell for gas?+
If you smell gas at any time, leave the house and call the gas company, and do not operate any switch.